Real Salt Lake announce return of World Cup vet Findley

If Real Salt Lake suffered through a goal-scoring crisis in 2012, they've taken a big step toward making sure it doesn't happen again.

On Wednesday the club announced that former RSL forward Robbie Findley will be returning to the club after a deal which sent allocation money to the Portland Timbers in exchange for the 27-year-old striker.

“RSL has played a huge role in my career and I’m very excited to be back in Utah,” Findley said in a club statement. “I’m very ready to get back into Rio Tinto Stadium and enjoy the phenomenal atmosphere that our supporters bring to every game.”

The Timbers acquired Findley's MLS rights during the 2010 Expansion Draft. But it was at the end of that 2010 campaign that Findley joined English side Nottingham Forest after the expiration of his MLS contract.

But Findley would go on to score just three goals in two injury-riddled seasons at Nottingham Forest and was recently sent on loan to English fourth-tier side Gillingham. Findley and Nottingham Forest parted ways earlier this week, paving the way for his MLS return.

“We’re very pleased to bring Robbie back to Salt Lake,” Real Salt Lake GM Garth Lagerwey said in a club statement. “We feel like his speed will add a dimension to our attack that’s been missing since his departure.”

Findley is the third all-time leading scorer for Real Salt Lake (29 regular-season goals) and is perhaps most remembered for the equalizing goal in MLS Cup 2009, which helped send the match to extra time and a triumphant conclusion in the ensuing penalty kick shootout.

It was the LA Galaxy who made Findley the 16th overall SuperDraft pick out of Oregon State in 2007. He was traded to RSL later that season and became one of the league's most feared strikers, ultimately earning a spot on the 2010 US World Cup team.

Findley is expected to join RSL for the start of preseason on Saturday.